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Thursday, April 24, 2014

You think you’re ready to be promoted.Your boss… not so much.Perhaps she’s known you for years and she
still has an outdated view of your professional maturity and competencies.Or, maybe there’s a style difference that’s
getting in the way of her seeing your true capabilities.Or, let’s face it, you might not be ready.

Getting ticked off will only make matters worse.Here’s a proven model for approaching the
“do you think I’m ready” conversation.

Reveal

Share what you’re feeling and why.Work to understand her point of view.It’s likely that your current performance is
a factor.Understand what you’re doing
well in your current job from her perspective, as well as where things are
breaking down.Resist the urge to talk
about “promises” made by other leaders, or your expectations based on those
discussions.

Engage

Ask for additional ways to engage in the business.Would she be willing to let you shadow her
for a day?Be sure to emphasize that you
want the “real deal.”If there’s a
late-night fire drill, you want to be included.Ensure you understand what the next level is really all about.

I’ve had folks decide for themselves they weren’t ready
after a day of shadowing.

Ask

Ask if she thinks it would be appropriate to meet with her
peers or her boss to get additional feedback.Be prepared withspecific questions.

Develop

Listen carefully to all that feedback and suggest a few
developmental options to grow in these areas.Ask for other specific ideas to include.Be sure to place time frames around them and follow up upon completion.

Yield

Be patient.Becoming
overly aggressive will backfire.Also
take your development seriously but don’t let it overwhelm you or others.Beware of
developmental deluge.

Your turn.

What tips do you have for folks facing the “I think I’m
ready conversation?